Lawyers must not be influenced by any ‘incentive’: CJ

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, on Saturday said in the light of the apex court’s judgment of July 31, 2009, judges of the superior courts are bound to act under the Constitution and not to take order from any unlawful authority nor take oath other than under the Constitution.

He was addressing the participants of the 15th roll signing ceremony of the newly-enrolled advocates of the Supreme Court held here in the Supreme Court Building, Islamabad.

Fifty-three new advocates – 39 from the Punjab, seven from Sindh, one from Balochistan and six from Islamabad – were enrolled as advocates of the Supreme Court.

“There is no oath which has to be administered to the advocates of the Supreme Court, but it should be their aim and effort that they shall abide by the Constitution and the law.”

The chief justice said that after 63 years, we have been able to understand that our salvation and survival rest upon the rule of law and implementation of the Constitution.

“As you know the judges of the Supreme Court and high courts are subject to the Code of Conduct. In addition, the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Sindh High Court Bar Association through its Secretary Vs the Federation of Pakistan, delivered on July 31, 2009, they are bound to act only under the Constitution and not to take order from any unlawful authority nor take oath other than under the Constitution,” the CJP said.

“I believe that it is time when the learned members of the Bar should give the Court the same commitment and should refrain from being influenced by any ‘incentiveÂ’ for supporting the acts in contravention of the Constitution,” the CJ added.

The chief justice congratulated them as advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan, stressing them that “after getting the enrollment in the Supreme Court, you have to work hard in respective areas of your specialisation and assist the Supreme Court in dispensation of justice.

“There is no court in the country above the Supreme Court or any other remedy is available after the apex court; therefore, you should come and appear before the court after fully mastering your case to properly assist the court,” the CJ said, urging the newly-enrolled advocates to work hard day and night.
Earlier, Dr Faqir Hussain, Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan, welcomed the newly-enrolled advocates of the Supreme Court and conducted the proceedings of the ceremony.